Randy Gregory Adopting “Sixth-Man Mentality”

Rookie defensive end Randy Gregory is still looking for his first career tackle

Randy Gregory has a bit of a catch-22 on his hands.

In order to earn more playing time, he needs to be more productive. In order to be more productive, he needs more playing time. There is a solution though, and that solution involves Gregory changing the way he approaches the game.

“I know that’s what everyone is thinking with the amount of playing time, but it’s who they feel most comfortable with putting out there, who’s making plays, who’s hot,” Gregory said, per Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas. “For me, I’ve got to figure out a way to kind of have a sixth-man mentality, going in there, coming in there hot, warmed up and being able to make plays right away. I think I’ll start seeing some more plays out there.”

After a very promising preseason, Gregory played in 18 snaps in the opener before suffering a high ankle sprain. He’s been back in the last three games, but very quiet, with just 31 snaps over that span. Now it’s Week 9 and the man many fans thought might register double-digit sacks in his rookie year is still looking for his first tackle.

It’s an unfamiliar place for Gregory.

“I don’t think I’ve ever gone this deep into a season not recording any kind of stats,” Gregory said. “It’s frustrating because on one end I know I can make plays, but on the other end I kind of have to understand that I’ve missed a lot of time. And the times I have been out there I haven’t been out there that much.”

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us